Skack, on a similar note, my family in Warren County prefers the Louisburg Wal-Mart over the Henderson Wal-Mart because the gang activity in Henderson is so bad. Louisburg is at least a little safer.

10/5/2011 2:01:03 PM

well yeah, Walmart's vary in quality even in the same city.

I'll never go to the Walmart on Skibo in Fayetteville but we go to the one on Ramsey regularly

10/5/2011 2:01:58 PM

Back when I lived in the part of Raleigh that was almost Garner, there was a old crappy Walmart on one side, a crappy Kmart in the middle, and a new "elite" Walmart on the other side. All within one mile really. I dont know if they ever closed the old one, but there was even that level of social stratification in the same shopping center. You never had the same level of people shopping at the new Walmart that would continue to hang out around the old Walmart.

10/5/2011 2:09:57 PM

they old one turned into a big lots

10/5/2011 2:13:39 PM

Sweet. Just what that area needed

10/5/2011 2:15:57 PM

Harris Teeter--I like the selection, the service, the clean stores, and the store brands are good. Plus my dad works for them so they've put food on the family's table (literally and figuratively) since 1995.

Target--because Wal-Mart annoys the everliving crap out of me. Mainly the absurdly long checkout lines, but also due to haphazard stocking, lackadaisical or rude employees, dangerous parking lots, and sketchy customers.

Barnes & Noble for books (over the other big bookstores, anyway). Just like the atmosphere better.

Canon cameras.

Heinz ketchup.

[Edited on October 5, 2011 at 2:19 PM. Reason : d]

10/5/2011 2:17:23 PM

Quote :

"Prego sauce"

Since when is Prego a "superior" brand???

If I'm buying yougurt or cheese I get named brands.

Quote :

"Harris Teeter, I think their store brands are better than the others and they've got a great selection "

Good Call

10/5/2011 2:36:49 PM

colgate

fage

10/5/2011 2:50:16 PM

Quote :

"Since when is Prego a "superior" brand???"

i just like it better than Ragu, never said anything about it being superior

10/5/2011 3:00:03 PM

Count me in on canon cameras.

They're not necessarily any better than any other brand, and may be a bit more expensive than a comparable P&S.

For DSLRs, Canon vs. Nikon is so close that there's really no objective way to argue one in favor of the other.

I've just always bought Canons, and when shopping for new cameras, don't even consider other brands.

10/5/2011 3:00:58 PM

I buy American when at all possible, with the exception of electronics.

As far as guitars, I'm loyal to Martin, Fender, and Line6...and Dean Markley for strings.


Other brands:

Wusthof Knives
Weber Grills
Valvoline Motor Oil
Gulden's Spicy Mustard
UTZ potato chips
Soniccare toothbrushes
USAA insurance/banking/financial services

and of course, Hurricanes Hockey

10/5/2011 3:13:26 PM

I'm more so a hater of certain brands rather than loyal to any specific one

10/5/2011 3:16:07 PM

Gap Inc. clothing (mostly Banana Republic) cause I work there and can't bring myself to pay full price for decent clothes anymore. Its bad enough that I don't need to work there at all now but I still do just for my discount

10/5/2011 3:19:23 PM

^is it just me or has the quality of Gap clothing gone down the shitter in the last decade or so. They just don't seem as well made.

gasoline - Shell, Exxon or BP only
beer - Miller Lite or Bud Light for binging...a million other types for just enjoying
spaghetti sauce - Ragu (as far as budget sauces go)
pasta - Barilla (ditto)
hot dogs - Sabretts or Nathan's
pizza - anything but a chain
ketchup - Heinz
cola - Coke
tires - always brand name. if you want performance you have to pay for it
oil - Mobile One synthetic

This is all that comes to mind ATM.

[Edited on October 5, 2011 at 3:26 PM. Reason : k]

10/5/2011 3:24:55 PM

I've been reminded of things I forgot.

+1 for Mobil 1 oil. It's all I'll use in the better of our 2 cars. (The other has a couple of small leaks which I fear full synthetic would make more noticeable, alas.)

And for guitars, G&L is my choice and my preference for electrics. Given a larger budget I'd probably play Martin or Guild for acoustic, but for the time being my battered old Yamaha has to serve.

10/5/2011 3:30:00 PM

Quote :

"is it just me or has the quality of Gap clothing gone down the shitter in the last decade or so."

i feel like it all shifted... like the banana now is where gap used to be and gap now is where old navy used to be and old navy... well...

10/5/2011 3:31:48 PM

Quote :

"Skack, on a similar note, my family in Warren County prefers the Louisburg Wal-Mart over the Henderson Wal-Mart because the gang activity in Henderson is so bad. Louisburg is at least a little safer."

It has been a long time since I've been to the one in Henderson, but I know what you mean. I stop at the one in Louisburg occasionally on my way up 401.

What a messed up situation that people don't feel safe to go to Wal-Mart. I mean, these things usually aren't in some isolated warehouse district just south of cracktown. The one that se7entythree referenced in Rocky Mount is basically in the main retail district; right across the street from the mall and surrounded by other large retailers and restaurants.

[Edited on October 5, 2011 at 3:33 PM. Reason : s]

10/5/2011 3:32:40 PM

I believe store brand groceries were put there in order to punish us for not buying the name brands.

10/5/2011 3:38:43 PM

Quote :

"I don't like the store brand Q tips. Never enough cotton."

FTW. Especially the horribly shitty Q-tips that have plastic sticks instead of paper.

10/5/2011 3:41:44 PM

Can't use anything other than Carmex for lip balm - I swear they put cocaine in it or something.

10/5/2011 3:47:19 PM

Quote :

"USAA insurance/banking/financial services"

forgot this

10/5/2011 3:49:13 PM

Quote :

"Since when is Prego a "superior" brand???"

Well that depends on how long Prego and its competitive brands (i.e. Hunts, Ragu, and off-brand) have been around, now doesn't it?

Why would you compare Prego to a gourmet brand? That's like comparing a Ford to a Mercedes.

Anyway, yes, Prego is a superior brand to Ragu/off brands.

10/5/2011 3:49:52 PM

Vick's Vapor Rub

10/5/2011 3:51:56 PM

Oh yeah USAA for pretty much everything involving insurance or banking. I even use them for some investments, but there are better options out there for that.

10/5/2011 3:54:19 PM

^^^I'm not following your comparison and reasoning of "how long" something's been around.

I prefer Ragu to Prego. Prego is too watered down for me. Also I'm pretty sure in the eyes of the average shopper they're of equal "pedigree". They're on the same shelf and cost roughly the same price...what more do you need to know

[Edited on October 5, 2011 at 3:56 PM. Reason : ^]

10/5/2011 3:55:49 PM

Target (I hate Wal-Mart with a fiery passion.)
Barnes & Noble (Therefore I have a nook, not a kindle.)
Samsung (2 TVs, 2 phones, and a Galaxy tablet.)
Heinz ketchup
Oreo brand cookies over generics (They're just not the same!)
PEPSI!!
Hydraulic jeans
D&G Sunglasses
Teva sandals
There are probably some more.

10/5/2011 3:59:21 PM

how could I forget Rainbow sandals?


hehehe

10/5/2011 4:08:29 PM

Quote :

"I buy American when at all possible, with the exception of electronics. "

I buy Non American cars when at all possible, as I do not support $50 wrench turners and keeping the autoworkers unions thriving making under-engineered
and sub-quality cars. At least before they got a government bail out, now the US tax payers is paying for GM and the likes to make crappy vehicles.

Quote :

"gasoline - Shell, Exxon or BP only "

Glad you support Oil spills.

Quote :

"I prefer Ragu to Prego. Prego is too watered down for me. Also I'm pretty sure in the eyes of the average shopper they're of equal "pedigree". They're on the same shelf and cost roughly "

I either make my own sauce using the hunts tomato sauce or I get classico or better.

10/5/2011 4:21:08 PM

^lol, whaaaaaa, oil spills. Sorry but they're a fact of life. Not my fault BP produces superior fuel to most brands.

10/5/2011 4:42:32 PM

Ah, sandals. The pair of Reef sandals I currently own have converted me. Best sandals I've had by a long shot.

10/5/2011 4:47:55 PM

Quote :

"I either make my own sauce using the hunts tomato sauce or I get classico or better."

we need a thread on spaghetti sauces because I'm not a fan of Classico. I try to stick with Newman's Own and stock up when they're on special.

10/5/2011 4:58:35 PM

I wouldn't try to name all the brands I'm loyal to, but very little of it is due to "brandwashing". If anything, I just choose to continue supporting brands that have treated me well in the past.

Cobian Flip Flops
Merrell Hikers
Leather Merrells for the office
New Balance 993's for walking/gym
Biore face wash
etc.

Years of buying stuff have allowed me to narrow a lot of things down and find products that are so good I don't even want to try to find a replacement.

10/5/2011 4:58:40 PM

Quote :

"Most females I know go to the Wal-Mart in Nashville. They say it is much more civilized."

yeah, i've been there a few times, but they just don't carry the stuff i'm looking for (specific shampoo, body wash, & cat litter). maybe that's a walmart thing. i just really really hate walmart. on the rare occasion that i end up going to the one here in RM, shelves are empty, they're out of LOTS of items. i don't get it. the nashville one is nice, as far as walmarts go.

10/5/2011 8:27:18 PM

Shell gas
Mobil1 oil
Nissan
Nvidia (had a radeon 5770 for a stint and load times were bleh)
Duracell (but Rayovac for rechargeables)

I'm not particularly loyal to:
Panasonic, but my TV, home theater, and blu-ray player are all Panasonics
Pioneer, but all my car stereo HUs have been Pioneer (they look the nicest, imo)

10/5/2011 10:19:14 PM

Curel lotion, Chapstick, Comet rice, Peter Pan peanut butter, Parkay butter, Asics running shoes, Victoria's Secret bras, Tide laundry detergent, Amazon (I <3 Amazon), Charmin toilet paper, Target, Coffeemate liquid creamer, Cafe Escapes Cafe Mocha K-cups, Smartwool socks (you should really try them), Denman hair brush, Excedrin, Nilla wafers.

Hrm, looks like a long list, but other than these items I buy whatever is cheapest. Couponing has allowed me to try many brands I wouldn't normally pick up, and so I've gotten rid of some old brand preferences. Sometimes a deal is good enough I'll cheat on Charmin or Coffeemate.

10/5/2011 10:48:51 PM

Saw title, assumed it was about Apple and Steve Jobs.

I wouldn't say I'm particularly brandwashed. I grew up in such a cheapskate family that would try to get generic everything. However, I learned from their needless penny-pinching that while I wanted to save as much money as possible, I didn't want to sacrifice basic pleasures for three cents. There are products I buy a certain brand of because I like their product the best, usually through trial and error, not blindly thinking it must be better because of brand.

10/6/2011 12:56:38 AM

Not really that loyal to much. I'll drink coke or pepsi products. I'll shop at Harris Teeter, Wal-mart, Food Lion, Trader Joes, Fresh Market, Target, etc. I'll fly on whatever airlines is the cheapest. I'll stay at whatever hotel good for the price and has a good location. I've owned an Audi, Ford, BMW, Nissan, Infiniti.

However, I am loyal to local businesses. Beside the occasional fast food, I don't eat at chain restaurants or pizza joints unless its free.

Also...
EA Sports games
USAA insurance/banking/financial services even though I also have a Wachovia Account (I needed something local)
Q-tip brand

10/6/2011 6:43:30 AM

playtex tampons. gtfo of here with those tampax.

10/6/2011 6:59:52 AM

forgot about footwear! chaco for flips or sandals for 10 months of the year and born for casual or cold weather...i don't wear dress shoes often enough to have a preference

10/6/2011 7:37:22 AM

I assume this thread is based on the book Brandwashed?

It's scary that you can be brandwashed in the womb.

10/6/2011 8:22:50 AM

^ Not really. I've worked in advertising and marketing for high-profile brands for several years, so we use the term all the time in day-to-day conversation. Good book, but in general it's just a very fascinating subject. I wanted to start a broad discussion here.

[Edited on October 6, 2011 at 8:27 AM. Reason : M]

10/6/2011 8:25:51 AM

Ah.

Yeah, Lindstrom did a good job of using fear to manipulate me into buying the book.

10/6/2011 8:42:14 AM

O.B.

10/6/2011 8:44:35 AM

fuck EA Sports, those greedy motherfuckers.

10/6/2011 9:15:02 AM

Hive (in coconut) - chapstick
Kiehl's - moisturizer & lotion
Blackberry - phone, new bold is awesome!
Red Bull (sugar free) - caffeine
Tide - detergent
iPad - amazing
Canon (powershot) - camera
ShopBop - online shopping

10/6/2011 11:16:44 AM

Rainbows for sandles
Carmin for toilet paper
Yuengling for cheap beer
Pantene Pro-V for shampoo/conditioner
Crest Spin Pro for toothbrush
Motorola for phones


I usually just get whatever is the cheapest for most things. I try to be a bargain shopper, which usually means no buying namebrand.

10/6/2011 5:43:37 PM

UNC

NY Yankees

Dallas Cowboys

those are brands right?

In all honesty I would say Shell gasoline but there is one right next to work on the drive home anyway

10/6/2011 6:46:09 PM

^ no cheerwine?

10/6/2011 7:41:53 PM

ha no...... i don't actually drink soda too much anymore. I've been on here for 10 years so that was a while ago


I've actually lived off of Food Lion brand products for years now

10/7/2011 8:16:08 AM

kodiak chew

puma studded boots

nike molded boods

inzer weightlifting gear

harris teeter

cherry lemon sundrop

martinson coffee

gibson guitars

ford motors

kohls and macy's department stores

lotrimin anti fungal cream

herbal essences shampoo

dial bar soap

lexington barbeque

coors brewing company

canturbery of new zealand

gilbert

northrup grumman


[Edited on October 7, 2011 at 9:17 AM. Reason : .]

10/7/2011 9:14:17 AM